Tee Time: Time to play nine

One of the holes at Lake Lure Golf Club.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 10:57 p.m.

The old saying goes “a bad day golfing sure beats a good day at work.” According to a 2010 study by the National Golf Foundation, “the number of golfers has been slowly declining since the year 2000,” leading to a steady decline of annual rounds since the golfing boom of the 1990s.

Industry experts have pointed to reasons such as increased competition for the almighty recreational dollar, economic issues, family and work demands as key driving (pun intended) forces behind this decline.

In June 2013, Golf Digest, with promotional support from the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America, launched a “Time for Nine” campaign to “support and encourage more nine-hole rounds of golf.”

According to Golf Digest Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde, “we think golfers will play a whole lot more if they join the growing number of golfers who have come to love nine-hole rounds.”

The USGA President Glen D. Nager sums it well by stating that “five-hour plus rounds of golf are incompatible with the compressed time that many of us have available for recreational activities.”

Many of the local golf courses have nine-hole rates in the $12-$30 price range and less for walkers.

In today’s hectic environment, plopping down about $20 for a quick two-hour round of golf and your favorite snack or beverage is certainly an attractive alternative to a five-hour plus round, especially in the summer heat.

Locally, we have a few options for at least getting out and working on our game.

Champions Golf Center – located on Dana Road in Hendersonville, along with a lighted driving range is a nine-hole pitch-and-putt practice course.

Southern Tee Golf Course (closed on Saturdays) – located on Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, is an executive 18 hole, par-3 golf course, with par-3s ranging from 111 yards up to 184 yards. Southern Tee also has a driving range, chipping area and practice green.

With about 60 percent of the typical weekend player’s shots occurring within 100 yards of the hole, these are two good options to help shave off a few strokes from the scorecard (without an eraser).

To get a proper nine-hole experience and a scenic drive to Lake Lure, the historic Lake Lure Golf Club is the answer.

Having originally opened in 1927, Donald Ross is said to have designed the original 18-hole layout. But due to financial struggles of the late 1920s, only the existing nine holes were completed. What was completed is a well-designed, playable golf course, with mountain views.

As Ted Bishop, the President of the PGA of America says, “we’ve got to get some people thinking again about nine holes that take two hours to play. It’s a good way to target lapsed golfers and new golfers.”

Now get out and prove that a couple of hours on the golf course or practice facility will certainly beat a couple of hours of work.

<p>The old saying goes “a bad day golfing sure beats a good day at work.” According to a 2010 study by the National Golf Foundation, “the number of golfers has been slowly declining since the year 2000,” leading to a steady decline of annual rounds since the golfing boom of the 1990s.</p><p>Industry experts have pointed to reasons such as increased competition for the almighty recreational dollar, economic issues, family and work demands as key driving (pun intended) forces behind this decline.</p><p>In June 2013, Golf Digest, with promotional support from the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America, launched a “Time for Nine” campaign to “support and encourage more nine-hole rounds of golf.”</p><p>According to Golf Digest Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde, “we think golfers will play a whole lot more if they join the growing number of golfers who have come to love nine-hole rounds.”</p><p>The USGA President Glen D. Nager sums it well by stating that “five-hour plus rounds of golf are incompatible with the compressed time that many of us have available for recreational activities.”</p><p>Many of the local golf courses have nine-hole rates in the $12-$30 price range and less for walkers.</p><p>In today's hectic environment, plopping down about $20 for a quick two-hour round of golf and your favorite snack or beverage is certainly an attractive alternative to a five-hour plus round, especially in the summer heat.</p><p>Locally, we have a few options for at least getting out and working on our game.</p><p>Champions Golf Center – located on Dana Road in Hendersonville, along with a lighted driving range is a nine-hole pitch-and-putt practice course. </p><p>Southern Tee Golf Course (closed on Saturdays) – located on Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, is an executive 18 hole, par-3 golf course, with par-3s ranging from 111 yards up to 184 yards. Southern Tee also has a driving range, chipping area and practice green.</p><p>With about 60 percent of the typical weekend player's shots occurring within 100 yards of the hole, these are two good options to help shave off a few strokes from the scorecard (without an eraser).</p><p>To get a proper nine-hole experience and a scenic drive to Lake Lure, the historic Lake Lure Golf Club is the answer. </p><p>Having originally opened in 1927, Donald Ross is said to have designed the original 18-hole layout. But due to financial struggles of the late 1920s, only the existing nine holes were completed. What was completed is a well-designed, playable golf course, with mountain views.</p><p>As Ted Bishop, the President of the PGA of America says, “we've got to get some people thinking again about nine holes that take two hours to play. It's a good way to target lapsed golfers and new golfers.” </p><p>Now get out and prove that a couple of hours on the golf course or practice facility will certainly beat a couple of hours of work.</p><p>Fairways and greens my friend.</p>